SAN ANTONIO — Georgia State University College of Law’s Student Trial Lawyers Association mock trial team of Alex Galvan (J.D. ’14), Joshua May (J.D. ’13), Lauren Smith (J.D. ’13) and Lynette Jimenez (J.D. ’13), placed second in the Lone Star Classic Competition on Oct. 11-13 at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

The team, coached by former prosecutor and adjunct professor Tom Jones and Cheryl Champion-White (J.D. ’93), competed against 15 other teams in the national competition through three preliminary rounds, one semi-final and the final round. Faulkner University mock trial team took first place. Other teams competing include Stetson University College of Law, Emory University School of Law, Brooklyn Law School and Loyola Law School Los Angeles.

“We were up against schools with highly ranked and highly regarded trial advocacy programs,” Jimenez said. “It can be daunting because there are so many moving parts and variables in a trial and rulings that you can’t anticipate that can enhance or gut your case in a matter of seconds.”

The team worked on a criminal problem, designed by law professors and based on real cases that have occurred.

“Technical precision is not enough to do well,” said Galvan about the competition. “You have to be passionate and zealously advocate for your client. That’s how you come out on top in a tough round.”

Prior to the competition, the team met every weekend for nearly eight weeks and its success is attributed to hard work, thorough preparation and dedicated coaches.